I would understand if the dealer had only one car, but he had at least 10 in stock. Also I drove about 50 miles specifically just to see the cars and get a "feel" for them. Oh well, I guess Dave at Kerbeck's can expect a visit from me in the near future!!

 

Very few people are curious about Mercedes and Porsche unless they are interested in buying. Such is not the case with vettes. It's a different situation primarily because vettes are different. I've purchased five vettes in my day and never drove one without paying for it first.

 

I can see your point, but if a guy drives 50 miles and brings his WIFE ALONG, that's a pretty good indication that he's serious. In any event, I'm sure he's had some bad experiences. For me at $50K a test drive is a MUST! I didn't take it personally. He made a business decision, and now I will make mine.

 

 

Most dealers in the Bay Area (Northern California) wont let you test drive. I just kept going till I found someone who would. My problem is I am 27 and they think I look "to young" to buy a Corvette or any car valued at 35k or more. Sales people should know at least in this day and age never to judge a book by its cover. Just because someone might look a little younger, doesn't mean they don't have the ability to purchase. I guess it doesn't help the matter when I come in in baggy sweat pants and a not so nice t-shirt. Makes me laugh actually. Did the same thing when I bought my Acura, nobody wanted to give me the time of day except one guy, later after tax & title and signing the sales slip he was the one smiling and the rest of the salespeople were just gritting their teeth.

 

Has anyone decided not to buy a C6 after taking a test drive? I'm not sure what people are testing on a test drive. That it goes 0-60 in 4.2, that it does in fact reach 186 mph?

I can understand testing to get a feel for the different suspension choices but that won't change your mind on whether you'll buy a C6 or not. Just give them your deposit, sign the paper and take a test drive. I'm still not sure you'd be anything but more confused after trying different suspensions. It seems it's one of the most difficult decision points for C6 customers.

You could just do what many of us have done, give them your money order the suspension that you think will blow your skirt up the most and be happy when the car comes. I haven't heard one person on this forum wish they ordered a different suspension than the one they actually did order. Funny how we rationalize to make our decisions the best.

Dana, who has a Z51 and is thrilled.

 

My dealer offered to let me drive one before I even asked to sit in the showroom model. I bought the one I test drove. It had 1 mile on the car, I put the rest. Purchased it on Dec 13th, it now has 693 miles on it.

 

Corvettes, as with any car in any given segment, have competitors.

An informed buyer always gages what competition is being offered.

Whether it is by magazines (editors often say that 'if one is looking for this car, they should also test drive this car, too.'), word of mouth from friends, family and enthusiasts, or, as importantly, a reinforced assessment of whether one has given ALL competition its look, the idea of test driving as much of the competition as one could prior to the sale is simply smart business and the right way to properly gage thus qualify the purchase. Anything short of this is strictly an impulsive buy (which dealers love - and some buyers openly admit they have no problem with) but has underwhelming enhanced qualities to it for the purchasing individual IMHO. One should always be afforded the ability to qualify their position and be able to say to others (post their purchase) that they in fact did test drive others cars toward such qualification.

However, if one is SURE that there is no other car for them without any competing test drives, then this does help justify their position in some way. Yet, even if one knows that they'll want a certain car (like a C6), it still does not offset that the same buyer might want to experience (not read about) differences in transmissions, suspensions, brake feel, etc. and should have the right to learn this first hand in advance.

The argument about dealers volunteering cars that can get abused is really something of a red-herring. With a car like a Corvette, if the dealer would like to send the salesman along with a potential purchaser, then this is their right and this would normally reduce any excessive abuse the car would have to potentially undergo. Taking a car out alone (especially with any elongated time or distance element) usually is the practice of a dealer-customer relationship that has been preestablished.

I have taken delivery of MB's without driving them first, but this was only because I had previous experience with the car and/or could readily apply recourse in the event of any drawbacks with said car. But I have no experience with buying Corvettes or those who market them. (Some of my brief discussions with them on the topic have revealed a greatly reduced sales competence orchestration than what I'm used to). If I were issued the aforementioned 'assure us you'll buy right now if you like it' bit with a car like this, I would decline the test drive and the dealership altogether, especially if I had no prior experience with said dealer. In general, any dealer I was working with would have to understand that my consideration and test drive was a qualifying aspiration by rule. (My upcoming Z06 purchase will probably be different, as I'm sure I want this and its packaging is fairly set.)

I am accustomed to pricer cars where dealer relations are key. In this sense, the pre test drive factor is reduced toward qualifying the test drive portion of the car (especially on limited model new introductions). And, also, I always qualify myself first by demonstrating down payment, fresh (3 bureau) credit report in hand, verbiage (and print) on where else I've been and what other cars I'm looking at. There is no mistaking what degree of informed and qualified buyer I am. It is always clear to the dealer. This is why any attitude they offered on the 'buy first' front would be vehemently rejected.

The risk that dealers take that their (should be dedicate) test car could be driven without absolute sale thereafter is no different than the same risk the buyer would be otherwise taking to buy a car without knowing whether the car is going to be for them (or which driving options they prefer), even initially, much less down the road. Its the nature of the business. Cars are expensive. Its not like ordering gadgets off the Internet. If there is no preexisting relationship present between dealer and customer, the dynamics of the sale largely go to the tolerances and seasoning of the parties involved.

Just as dealers can always just sell to the next, so can the customer always give the next dealership their business. A two-way street. Troubled or negative reports will always travel faster and hold greater weight than positive ones. Its the nature of the species. Smart dealerships know this.

 

Dave can I test drive a C6 Z06 where there are available.
Kerbeck is a great place to go. That is where I got me C5 and that is where I will be going to get my C6. Great people and service.
My hat of to Harry.

 

My sales person complained because his dealer was lenient in letting people test drive a vette. He says most serious vette buyers don't want a number bigger than 8 on the odometer. You can't have it both ways all the time.

 

Base and F55 should be readily apparent over Z51.

Only in these forum discussions in advance of their choice.

Actually, there have been a couple.

But, as is often the case here, would anyone really have any compassion for someone whom reported afterward that they wish they had decided upon the other suspension (transmission, etc)? These people would be endlessly criticized and told to just live with their choice and stop crying. Because others are happy with their decision, so should the next, especially if they are to talk about it (or sour the spirits) here.

Most would know what results they would have lobbying their post-sale grievances here. I would think the notion would be to find a way to live with their choice and search for its advantages over the other option they wish they had.

Precisely my point.

 

The argument about dealers volunteering cars that can get abused is really something of a red-herring. With a car like a Corvette, if the dealer would like to send the salesman along with a potential purchaser, then this is their right and this would normally reduce any excessive abuse the car would have to potentially undergo. .

I'm not an expert in this area. Dave is. Furthermore, even if the salesman goes along on the test ride, how does he stop the driver from taking the car to redline or standing on the brakes. The C6 can probably take a lot of abuse, but there is a break- in proceedure that should be followed.

My experiences are rather limited and that's why I defer to the professional salesmen who are members of this Board. But my very limited experience makes me very cautious about buying any performance car on a dealer's lot.

About two years ago I was very interested in buying a Porsche TT. The car had an MSRP of 135K and there were about five miles on the odometer. While I was checking the car out on the showroom floor, one of the salesmen took the car off the showroom floor so that some guy could test drive it.

The guy took off burning rubber for at least 60 feet, and judging by the sound of the engine he had to shift near redline. Remember the salesman is a passenger in the car. I was waiting to have my Porsche serviced so I was around the showroom when the guy returned the car about 30 minutes later. I can imagine what that poor car was subjected to during that timeframe. I know the salesman so I had to ask him if the guy was going to buy the car or at least order one. The salesman said that the potential buyer thought that the car had too harsh of a ride for him. Imagine that, a Porsche with a stiff suspension.

So some poor guy will now buy a car that violated any manufacturer's break-in proceedure. Hell, I wouldn't take a car with a cold engine immediately to redline even if it were broken-in properly. I don't think any of us would. But if it's not your car then apparently the rules change for some.

 

My wife and I have bought many new cars over the years (since 1961), and there are only two (2) that we (I) never took on a test drive. A 1965 Corvette vert, and my new C-6 coupe. Go figure! I think it was part of the excitement and anticipation making my first drive as an owner. As to suspension and other choices to be made, I think I was informed enough to know what I wanted. C-5 owners on Corvette Forum educated me. Z-51!!! MN6!!! I'm totally satisfied!

 

You would be surprised how many people never ask for or who actually turn down and offered test drive but buy the car. I've seen more than half of my C6 deliveries have the first drive as they are leaving, and I ask everyone on them to take a test drive! I'm sure many of the people here on the forum may have been the same as Crabby.

 

no one abuses cars on test drives like burnouts and 360's and high speeds. Its unheard off. Sales person who sits witht he driver puts an end to it real quick.

 

Just as an aside, this isn't limited to Corvettes. Porsche had gotten so many complaints from buyers, they attempted to disenfranchise the dealers. What they proposed in the early 80s was that all inventory, except for one REQUIRED demo (per model) per dealer, would be held by Porsche in Reno. The customer would drive the demo and decide whether to purchase. Then the car would be delivered within one week.

Of course, franchising laws in the US being what they are, this never happened. But the fact that Porsche considered it a problem is indicative of the issue going to the higher prices cars, as well.

That said, the Porsche dealers I worked with at the time were all very generous with test drives. And I wasn't even an old geezer at the time.

 

Hmmm! Wasn't there a thread awhile back were we all bragged about our C-6 delivery mileage (less than 4-8). Let's face it, Most Vette buyers want their new ride almost virgin. Even driving them off the assembly line or transporter. Dealers know this and act accordingly. Not many dealers are willing to make a demo out of one of the few they get on the lot at any one time. And I certainly would never buy a performance car someone else drives to see how it performs!!! Like Dave says, they sell without a test ride. Working late, Dave!!

 

I went to Ramp during the holidays and was told the same thing, that if I pick out a car I was going to buy the salesman would ask his manager if I could test drive it. Before I bought my 01 C5 from another dealer on Long Island he let me test drive it back in 2001, but because he is a small dealer and only has one in the showroom he told me that I could not at this time test drive it. This I did not mind, but Ramp had about a dozen sitting on their lot with not many customers.
Thats why I will be going to Buy my C6 from Kerbeck, after a test drive of course!

 

Please open a store on the west coast

 

I understand that everyone is different. I don't know if anyone has ever taken a C6 test drive and not purchased one. For me to spend $50K to purchase a car without testing various versions (suspensions) does not sit well with me. Again we are all different and have different values. I would probably be happy with any suspension, but I'm sure that I would prefer one over the others.

BTW congratulations on the new Z51 C6!!!